I'm not a packer's fan. I never watched Mr. Starr play, but from the very little I got to see from him through NFL films I've got to say there is nothing but respect for him. Imho one if not the best real leader for a football team, proud of his team mates, hard on himself, tough as nails, smart a true field general. But what struck me the most was how humble he was about his accomplishments. He called himself an overachiever and said that Favre could throw the ball better on his knees than he could standing up. Truly the kind of man a lot of us should strive to be
Bart Starr was my hero, I would say boyhood hero, but just hero is more accurate. I grew up pretty poor in money in Clute Tx, but I was rich with a great Mom that took me to see the Packers play the Oilers in Houston in 1972-Bart was the QB coach that year. After the game we figured out where the players came out of the Dome to go to their team bus…..there were thousands of people waiting, my Mom and I were very anxious as we were not use to so many people…..someone in the distant said “there’s Bart Starr”! I broke from my Mom’s grip, ran through the sea of people like only a 10 year old little boy could get away with, I found Bart…had my left arm around him, with my right arm holding on to my old gold helmet I brought, Bart only smile at me with his great grin while we walked to the team bus TOGETHER, at the bus door he told me I could wait there while he put his drink and clipboard on the bus, I instead went in to the bus with him! We came out and he ask everyone to make two single file lines and he would sign EVERYONES autograph. Mine was the first, with still the big grin, he told me to always be a good boy, I said thank you and we left….me on cloud nine! Flash forward to 2008 , one of my colleagues had a customer, and Bart would be there signing memorabilia, I went over there with my old gold helmet, Bart invited me in, he said he wanted to take a break anyway…..I got to talk to Bart for 10-15 minutes , just one on one……I told him the story of 1972, he had a bit of a strange look as he stared in space for a few seconds…….Bart looked me right in the eyes, and much to my astonishment he said, you know--I remember that! I remember that little boy getting on the bus with me!!! I say all this to say, sometimes hero’s are REAL ……my hero was a real life man, and he proved it! I might add before leaving the 2008 meeting , Bart asked for my best card, said he wanted to send me something when he got back home…..two weeks later the mail delivered a very nice autograph picture of my hero. God Bless, Bart Starr Warren Ivie Houston, Tx
From Canada....I first saw Bart Starr play in 1965, and he became my favourite NFL player, not sure why at the time. But over the years watching his career he became a role model for me, and yes a hero.
I actually lived next door to Bill in East Point. Ga. From there we moved to Chicago where they played that exhibition game that Bill was talking about. While in Chicago to play the allstar game we had Bill over to our house for a barbecue. What a class act. His entire family was a class act. I've told many people that I used to live next door to a Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer! Someday it would be great to run into Bill again.
I was working in Alabama in 2007 and the UPS driver told me how he delivered to Bart and Cherry and asked me If I wanted to meet them. My luck we finished work a week early and never got to see them. That would have been one of the best days ever.
Keith Dunnavant makes a strong case for Starr as the best QB ever. I truly enjoyed reading it and it is backed up with lots of stats from Kerry Byrne. Curry's eulogy is truly an expression of love.
